Donald Trump inauguration recap: Presidential pardons and executive orders on a big first day in office

Georgina Noack and Max Corstorphan
The Nightly
US President Donald Trump signs executive orders in the Oval Office.
US President Donald Trump signs executive orders in the Oval Office. Credit: JIM WATSON/AFP

President Donald Trump has been sworn in as the 47th President of the United States of America.

On Monday local time, the Republican took the oath of office at the Capitol Rotunda, returning for his second term as president.

Scroll down for a recap of all the day’s events.

Key Events

That’s a wrap on Day One of Trump 2.0
Trumps appear at first of three balls
Trump withdraws US from World Health Organisation
Trump pardons about 1500 people who stormed Capitol
Trump signs order to end birthright citizenship
Donald Trump signs executive orders at inauguration event
January 6 Capitol rioters to be pardoned
Trump welcomes families of Israeli hostages
Zuckerberg caught ‘checking out’ Amazon billionaire’s fiancee
Melania's subtle message with fashionable return
Musk’s inauguration ‘salute’ sparks concern
Disaster as inauguration singer’s track doesn’t play
‘This is what victory feels like’: Musk screams, dances at parade
First image of Trump’s official signing ceremony
Executive orders planned as Trump goes on blitz
Trump vows to act on January 6 ‘hostages’
Trump signs first documents as 47th US president
Trump cracks down on immigration and border
Former President Joe Biden departs Capitol
What happens now President Trump has been sworn in?
‘America will be respected again’
‘Panama’s promise to us has been broken’
Trump to rename Gulf of Mexico
Trump will be ‘peacemaker and unifier’
Services members to be given backpay after COVID dismissal
Only two genders in the United States
Trump to ‘bring back free speech’
Trump details string of executive orders
Trump reveals first executive order
Trump welcomes ‘golden age of America’
Melania holds bibles as oath taken
Trump sworn in as 47th President of United States
J.D. Vance sworn in as vice president
Cheers erupt as Trump returns
President Joe Biden has left the White House
Max Corstorphan

Zuckerberg caught ‘checking out’ Amazon billionaire’s fiancee

Mark Zuckerberg has been caught in an awkward moment with the fiancee of Jeff Bezos with a split-second camera shot appearing to show him looking down her top.

Zuckerberg was one of a handful of billionaires to attend Donald Trump’s inauguration on Monday, local time, and was seated next to Lauren Sanchez.

Sanchez, a well-known TV journalist, had an affair with Amazon founder and billionaire Bezos in 2018 while they were both married. The affair led to the end of both their marriages.

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Max Corstorphan

Melania's subtle message with fashionable return

With her eyes almost entirely obscured by the rim of her wool boater-style hat, Melania Trump stood behind President-elect Donald Trump on stage at the United States Capitol Rotunda as he pledged the oath of office.

President-elect Donald Trump kisses Melania Trump before the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (Saul Loeb/Pool photo via AP)
President-elect Donald Trump kisses First Lady Melania Trump, attempting to avoid her hat. Credit: Saul Loeb/AP

Designed by New York-based milliner Eric Javits, Mrs Trump’s hat was an austere flourish to a neat, military-style ensemble. Her navy silk wool double-breasted coat was nipped at the waist and worn with bare legs and stiletto heels.

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Max Corstorphan

Musk’s inauguration ‘salute’ sparks concern

As billionaire Elon Musk thanked the Republican crowd inside the Capital One Arena for President Donald Trump’s inauguration parade, he made a gesture that has sparked concern online.

Tesla, SpaceX and X CEO Elon Musk gestures while speaking during an inauguration event at Capital One Arena .
Tesla, SpaceX and X CEO Elon Musk gestures while speaking during an inauguration event at Capital One Arena. Credit: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

The arm movement, made on stage by Mr Musk, has been likened to a nazi salute.

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Max Corstorphan

President Donald Trump, First Lady enter stadium for parade

The 47th President of the United State of America, Donald Trump, and First Lady Melania Trump have just entered the Capital One Arena, walking amongst the crowd before the indoor inauguration parade.

Max Corstorphan

Disaster as inauguration singer’s track doesn’t play

US hit singer Carrie Underwood experienced an excruciating few minutes of awkward silence after a tech glitch delayed her performance at President Donald Trump’s inauguration.

Underwood stood for minutes waiting for her music to start so she could sing for Mr Trump, former presidents and invited guests.

epa11839680 Country singer Carrie Underwood attends the 60th inaugural ceremony where Donald Trump will be sworn in as the 47th president in the US Capitol Rotunda in Washington, DC, USA, 20 January 2025. EPA/RICKY CARIOTI / POOL
Country singer Carrie Underwood stood in silence before being told her music was not going to play. Credit: RICKY CARIOTI / POOL/EPA

The world watched, holding its collective breath for the singer during the prolonged pause in the ceremony until an event organiser approached Underwood, telling her the music was not going to play.

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Max Corstorphan

Trump arrives at Capital One Arena for indoor parade

President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump have just arrived at Capital One Arena for the indoor inauguration parade.

Max Corstorphan

‘This is what victory feels like’: Musk screams, dances at parade

Billionaire Elon Musk says this election “really mattered”.

“Thank you for making it happen,” he said at President Donald Trump’s indoor inauguration parade.

“It’s thanks to you that the future of civilisation is assured.”

Max Corstorphan

First image of Trump’s official signing ceremony

President Donald Trump is officially the 47th President of the United States and has completed the official signing ceremony.

Newly sworn-in President Donald Trump (C) takes part in a signing ceremony in the President's Room following the 60th inaugural ceremony at the US Capitol in Washington, DC.
Newly sworn-in President Donald Trump (C) takes part in a signing ceremony in the President's Room at the Capitol. Credit: Melina Mara / POOL/EPA

Also in attendance were: Senate Majority Leader Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), Senate Minority Leader Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Sen. Deb Fischer (R-Nebraska), Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), newly sworn-in Vice President JD Vance, Melania Trump, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.).

Max Corstorphan

Where is President Trump right now?

The president is currently enjoy a closed door lunch with members of congress.

President Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance will depart the lunch and travel to the Capital One Arena after lunch for the indoor inauguration parade.

Max Corstorphan

Netanyahu congratulates Trump, says thanks for hostage deal

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has congratulated President Donald Trump on his second inauguration, saying the best days of the alliance between the two countries is yet to come.

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